On the heels of a federal rule that allows insurance companies to provide birth control coverage for employees of religious institutions, some state Republicans are pushing for a resolution to rescind that rule.

The federal plan is a compromise announced by President Barack Obama in response to objections from some religious groups to a rule that would have required them to pay for that coverage directly. Obama said the groups wouldn't have to include the coverage at all, but insurance companies would provide it directly.

Advertisement

The same issue was legislated in New Hampshire in the late 1990s without opposition, until now.

Opposition to the rule is coming in large part from the Catholic Church. Diane Murphy-Quinlan, spokeswoman from the Manchester Diocese, offered an analogy.

"When you go to a Jewish deli, you don't expect to find pork chops," she said.

But some have responded to that logic by asking whether anyone who works for that deli would also be required to give up pork.

Former Republican state Sen. Rick Russman helped draft the New Hampshire law that has insurers provide for birth control more than 10 years ago. The church didn't put up a fight then, and he said he can't understand why it's such an issue now.

"I think it's just become a political showmanship opportunity, and it's clearly not in the best interest of the country," Russman said.

"It certainly does make you wonder, with no complaints over the intervening decade, why all of the sudden it's a big deal," said House Minority Leader Terie Norelli. "It has to be political."

Supporters of the resolution said no one is being forced to work for a religious organization. But some voters said that's a tough line to take in a slow economy.

"If by chance this is the only job you have that is being offered to you, are you going to tell me not to accept it?" said one Salem mother who said she needs birth control for medical reasons.

"All we are talking about is the right of religions to practice their belief without being subject to government regulations," said House Speaker Bill O'Brien. "They're saying to abandon your beliefs because you have a different social policy."

A committee planned to make its recommendation on the resolution Thursday, but because of a procedural issue the vote will take place next week.